Opposition Labour leads ruling National as New Zealand heads toward Nov. 7 election

Faisal Mahmud

06 October 2026•Update: 06 October 2026

New Zealand is heading toward a closely contested general election on Nov. 7, with opposition Labour ahead of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National Party in one of the latest opinion polls.

An RNZ-Reid Research poll released Tuesday put Labour, led by Chris Hipkins, at 30.8%, compared with 25.9% for National, its weakest showing since the 2020 election, local media reported.

The Greens stood at 14.8%, New Zealand First at 10.6%, ACT at 9% and the Opportunity Party at 5.5%.

A separate 1News Verian poll, however, put National slightly ahead at 29%, with Labour at 28%, highlighting a fragmented electoral landscape in which smaller parties could play a decisive role in forming the next government.

Luxon and Hipkins faced off Tuesday in their first leaders’ debate, with the cost of living, economic management, taxation and health among the key campaign issues.

New Zealand’s 54th Parliament was dissolved on Oct. 1, formally ending its term ahead of the election.

National won the 2023 election and subsequently formed a coalition government with ACT and New Zealand First, ending six years of Labour-led governments.

New Zealand normally holds elections every three years under its Mixed Member Proportional system, in which voters cast separate electorate and party votes.

Overseas voting begins on Oct. 21 and advance voting on Oct. 26, according to the Electoral Commission.

Official results are scheduled to be declared on Nov. 27.